The vice president said to get a shotgun. He keeps two in his home, he said Tuesday in an online video as part of a Facebook Town Hall hosted by Parents Magazine.

Biden said he told his wife, Jill, that if she needs to protect herself, "take that double-barrel shotgun and fire two blasts" into the air.

Of course, for the next four years it's unlikely the Bidens have much to worry about when it comes to home invasion. The Secret Service is on hand to handle such matters.

Still, as Americans debate the need for assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition clips, Biden has a point. The sound of shotgun going off is likely enough to change the mind of an intruder without anyone actually shooting anyone.